Honeymoon in Mauritius

ROMANCE Mauritius is as romantic as you can get and is one of the most popular wedding and honeymoon destinations in the world.

HISTORY Aventure du Sucre museum tells the story of the island’s most famous export. Set in a former mill, it explains the history of sugar production and demonstrates its manufacture from cane to cube. There are plenty of interactive elements and, by the end of your tour, you should know the difference between a demerara and a muscovado.

Not far from here are the Pamplemousses botanical gardens, where the giant water lilies are a highlight. SPA Serious about spas? Mauritius has plenty to choose from. The spa at Belle Mare resort emerges from a groundup rebuild as possibly the best spa on the island. Zhengliao, a deeply curative treatment, draws on several branches of Chinese medicine and is one of the new signature treatments. The Nira Spa at Shanti Maurice (Shantimaurice.com) is set in a stunning location, and offers combined Eastern and Western therapies. The spa’s signature treatment is its Sega Ritual, which is performed on the beach with bonfires, as organic cane sugar is used to exfoliate the skin followed by a coconutbutter and frangipani-based massage.

AND AFTER ALL THAT…

On an island justifiably famous for its beaches, there’s a spot for everyone. The best for bathing are clustered on the west coast if you want sugar-white sand for a spot of barefoot luxury, Trou aux Biches has miles of it, while nearby Grand Baie offers warm, clear, shallow waters with gently lapping waves. On the east coast, Žle aux Cerfs makes a great day’s excursion there’s also a small waterfall nearby which is worth a visit. Meanwhile, surfers and parasailers are drawn to the south-west for its strong winds. The Mauritians are lovely, warm people. Everything is no problem’ (the standard phrase in Mauritius). I wish I could bottle it and douse myself every time Eskom cuts our power. My grandfather probably never experienced a Mauritius like I did, but just being there brought back some incredible childhood memories for me. I ordered fresh chilli with every meal, peeled lychees for breakfast and had a few Mauritian rums just for you, Oupa. As they say in Mauritius, Alavot!